Mar
28
A home’s water main line is a key element of the plumbing system. Since the water main line brings the water into the home, without the water main line, plumbing within the house is useless.
A break in the water main line could cause major problems for the home, including possible structural damage. So, while it is important to catch a break early, it is also rather difficult to catch a break at all. Here are a few potential indicators that could alert you to a possible water main line break.
A higher water bill - One potential indication of a broken water main line is a higher water bill. A broken water main line will cause a leak…translation, more water being used. If your water bill is higher without a direct cause, you may be facing a broken water main line. Just remember, a broken line is not the only potential cause for a higher water bill. Changes in seasons can cause changes in water usage. For instance, summer would likely cause a jump in your bill because of watering the lawn. So, a higher water bill alone is not sufficient proof of a leak in the water main line. Read more
Mar
14
When you turn on your garbage disposal, all you want is for it to work without any issues. However, just like any other appliance, a garbage disposal can fail. If your garbage disposal is not working properly or not working at all, how do you know if it needs repair – or if it has simply reached the end of its life and needs replacing? The following tips will help you know when to call for a garbage disposal repair.
Too much noise – Sure, your disposal is going to exhibit some noise when it is operating. However, when it starts making louder than normal noises or “metal on metal” noises, it may be time for a repair. If you let the noise continue for too long, it could ruin your disposal.
Smelly – if your disposal smells foul, you may try some at home remedies to remove the odor, such as the use of lemons. However, if you find that the odor keeps returning, it could be an indicator of a problem, such as the disposal not chopping the food up into small pieces. Read more
Jan
31
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
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Oh, the Colorado weather. One day it can be 65 and gorgeous; the next it can be 11 snowy and cold. You never know what you’re going to get. And as the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, stick around a minute and it will change.
Because of the constant up and down temperatures, it puts more than your body temperature at risk; it also means your home is at risk. Do you have pipes on outside walls? Even if you’ve lived in your home for years, they are at constant risk of freezing.
A frozen pipe could not only cause your house to flood, but it could also cause your pipes to physically burst, leaving you with a mess and quite a plumbing nightmare to address.
Treating Frozen Pipes
The most effective way to treat frozen pipes is to wrap a heavy towel or burlap around the affected pipe, place a bucket underneath the area and pour hot water over the towel. The towel will keep the heat in the pipe, encouraging it to thaw. Remember that the hotter the water, the more effective your efforts will be. Read more
Jan
24
How To Find Your Water Main – Important Tips For When Your Pipes Freeze In The Winter
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You wake up early in the morning and head downstairs for your first cup of coffee. Yet as you step into your kitchen, it isn’t the coffee that grabs your attention; it’s the cold water surrounding your feet.
Quickly you turn on the light and begin looking around. Water is flowing freely out from underneath your sink.
Now what? If you think “call a plumber”, think again.
While calling the plumber should be top priority, it isn’t the first. When a pipe bursts from freezing temperatures, every two minutes it will leak approximately 30 gallons of water on to your floor. And the more water leaks into your home, the more damage it will cause.
Your first priority is finding the water main and shut it off to prevent further damage to your property. Read more
Jan
17
How To Unclog A Clogged Toilet
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Indoor plumbing is a wonderful thing, but when it doesn’t work it can be a major hassle. We tend to assume the toilet will just work, but if children drop toys in, or the wrong materials are flushed; the toilet may decide to clog up on you. If your toilet has taken a clog break, here are a few steps you can take to get it back to work.
1. Plunge away – The first solution you should try when facing a clogged toilet is the good old plunger. For most minor clogs, a few forceful plunges (forceful not fast) will clear things right up.
2. Soap and hot water – If the plunger by itself doesn’t work, you may need to take things to the next level. Heat some water to just below boiling. Pour a little bit of dish soap into the toilet and follow it up with the hot water. Give it a few minutes, then try the trusty plunger again. Hopefully, this was all your toilet needed to give it a fresh, clean start. Read more
Dec
14
Slab leaks are one of the most unpleasant things to happen to a home simply because of the extent of the damage that they can cause.
The problem with slab leaks is that they are rarely detected early enough to prevent them from becoming a major problem. This is the type of leak that gradually occurs – it does not present itself until the damage is severe.
If you notice any signs of leaks, it is important to seek professional help right away or you run the risk of the following damages occurring to your home:
Damage to the foundation – This is one of the largest nightmares of any homeowner. When the foundation is damaged, the entire structure of the home could be at risk. If the leak is bad enough, the foundation can crack, putting your entire home at risk.
Damage to floors – When there is an abundance of water on your slab, it eventually has to go somewhere. The logical place is the floors in your home. You will begin to see signs of buckling, bubbling or large water stains on your wood floor, laminate or even carpeting. Read more
Nov
23
Water Damage: How Your Plumber Can Save You Thousands Of Dollars
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A pipe freezes and breaks right by your water main. It floods your yard as thousands of gallons of water escape in a relatively short period of time. Because of age, it sets off a trigger that breaks other pipes and valves, and enters your home and floods your basement. You sustain thousands of dollars of damage.
Who’s fault is it? Will Denver Water (or your neighborhood water company if you’re out in the suburbs) cover the cost of fixing and replacing? Will your homeowners insurance cover it all? Or will you be stuck with a very large bill?
In many cases, all of the above may be true. Read more
Nov
16
Want to know what what one of the biggest increases is on the Friday after Thanksgiving? No, not sales at your favorite stores. Its calls to your local plumber.
The numbers show that calls to plumbers increase almost 50% the day after Thanksgiving.
There are various reasons for this, including an increased amount of water usage, dumping of dangerous waste down the disposal, and already clogged drains that decide to fully clog at the most inopportune times.
Increased Water Usage
If you have a house full of guests, chances are there is increased water usage. The toilet flushes more, the washing machine gets used more, and the shower and even kitchen sink are used more frequently. If your plumbing is not used to this kind of activity, it could put a strain on the household plumbing, causing something to break down. If you have a house full of guests, try to time showers or other excessive water usage into 10-minute increments, in case there are problems with your drains. This gives your drain ample time to recoup before the next shower. Read more
Nov
1
Household Items You Should Think Twice About Before Flushing
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Your in the bathroom and want to dispose of something. Trash or toilet? In many cases the toilet seems like a good choice, especially if you don’t want your children or pets finding and ingesting something without your knowledge. However, that isn’t always the best choice.
In the past, it was a common assumption to dispose of items such as chemicals, medications and cosmetics by flushing them away. Today, experts say that flushing various items down the toilet is harmful to the environment and it should be avoided.
Why it is Bad to Flush Household Items
The items that you flush down the toilet end up in the water supply. Because there are various things that depend on that water supply, what you flush can have a large impact on the status of the water supply. Water treatment plants do not have procedures to separate harmful chemicals from the water, which means that wildlife, especially aquatic wildlife, and even people are at risk.
How to Dispose of Household Items
The most common items that are flushed down the toilet include chemicals, medications and cosmetics. Knowing the proper way to dispose of these items can help you protect the water supply to your neighborhood. Read more
Aug
9
Safety Tips For Your Plumbing Tasks
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Plumbing repairs can be complex enough to need a professional or they can be simple enough to do it on your own. For the complex plumbing repairs, you should always call in the pros, unless you are highly skilled in plumbing. For the easier repairs, you can make them yourself – just remember to follow these few tips to ensure your safety as you confront your plumbing tasks.
Eyes – As with any do-it-yourself repairs, always where safety glasses to protect your eyes. You never know when the smallest of particles is going to find its way into your eye.
Hands – Keep your hands protected with a strong pair of gloves. Since you are dealing with plumbing, it is also a good idea to wear latex gloves beneath your work gloves. These will protect your hands from exposure to some of the nasty germs involved with plumbing repairs. Read more
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- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
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- WaterSense